THE Clackmannan Development Trust has been awarded £150,000 over the next three years by The Big Lottery.

The windfall will support the creation of a new post for an office administrator within the trust, as well as supporting the community development officer’s post until 2020.

The money will be getting put to good use quickly, too. The trust has already begun working on the creation of a community garden in partnership with the Clackmannan Town Hall Trust.

The plan will transform some empty land into a thriving community space to plan and grow produce while also allowing gardeners to sit back and relax when the weather allows.

Clackmannan Development Trust chair Robert Horne said: "We are thrilled to have the backing of the Big Lottery to help us continue with the development and regeneration of our town.

"We very recently appointed Lesley Shaw as the successful candidate to continue in the role as community development officer.

"Lesley enjoyed a very successful first year at the trust. We are also delighted to have appointed Michelle Donegan, who will join us at the trust later this summer as our new part-time office administrator.”

Lesley Shaw commented: "I am delighted to be able to continue my role within Clackmannan Development Trust, it’s been a great year for the town with successful funding awards and projects such as town regeneration works, Clackmannan Business Forum, Clackmannan Heritage Walks, the new community website, the 'Dog Poo Challenge', and, of course, the recent revival of the Clackmannan Mercat Fayre which was a great example of the community working together.

"All of those projects address the aspirations identified in the community action plan. We are currently in the process of devising a development strategy for 2017-2020 to take us through to the end of the action plan.

"I am excited to see the community continue working closely together and to see what more can be achieved for Clackmannan."